MSC Cruises: North American Expansion and Return to China
2024 will focus on the development of the North American market and the return to China, stated Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
« We are investing more in North America, » he said, highlighting the annual program of the Meraviglia departing from New York, the short cruises of the Magnifica from Miami, and the expansion of Ocean Cay, as the company will have five ships serving North America for the winter of 2023-24.
This is part of the groundwork the brand is laying for the World America, which will accommodate 5,400 passengers and is set to begin operations from Miami in early 2025.
« And we are finalizing our new venture in Galveston, which will materialize in 2025, » Onorato added.
The company, he noted, aims to capture its share of the market in North America and has made significant investments in marketing, brand awareness, and systems for the travel advisor community.
Without a new ship in 2024, Onorato stated that MSC’s capacity would increase « only » by 7%.
Investments are not limited to ships, he continued, but also include supporting infrastructure, such as Ocean Cay, as well as new MSC terminals in Miami, Barcelona, and investments in the port of Durban.
Major return to China
« We are very excited about our return to China, » Onorato continued. « The Bellissima will be the first ship from an international company, and we will send a second ship, the Splendida, later this year. »
This is part of the groundwork the brand is laying for the World America, which will accommodate 5,400 passengers and is set to begin operations from Miami in early 2025.
« And we are finalizing our new venture in Galveston, which will materialize in 2025, » Onorato added.
The company, he noted, aims to capture its share of the market in North America and has made significant investments in marketing, brand awareness, and systems for the travel advisor community.
Without a new ship in 2024, Onorato stated that MSC’s capacity would increase « only » by 7%.
Investments are not limited to ships, he continued, but also include supporting infrastructure, such as Ocean Cay, as well as new MSC terminals in Miami, Barcelona, and investments in the port of Durban.
Major return to China
« We are very excited about our return to China, » Onorato continued. « The Bellissima will be the first ship from an international company, and we will send a second ship, the Splendida, later this year. »
Onorato stated that this demonstrates…
The Two Ships Are Expected to Operate Rotations Departing and Arriving From…
The two ships are expected to operate rotations departing and arriving from Japan, where MSC is also expanding.
The Mediterranean will continue to play a key role, Onorato stated, with three of the company’s ships in the region this winter, all conducting week-long cruises.
The main source markets include Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, where MSC has a ship based in Southampton, the Euribia.
More world-class ships
By the end of 2023, MSC has committed to two additional World-class ships, officially securing a third ship with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for 2026, a fourth for 2027, and an option for a fifth ship.
Onorato stated that this demonstrates the company’s commitment to the market, as there have been no orders for large ships since the beginning of the pandemic.
2024 will focus on the…
A deployment announcement for the new ship in 2026 is expected early in the year.
It is worth noting that the new ships will be ready to utilize various alternative fuels, including bio and synthetic methane and green methanol.
« We must be prepared for the fuels of the future, » Onorato stated, « and with these ships, we are.
« Sustainability is at the core of our decision-making.
« We Are Confident That With This New Technology, We Can Be…
« We are confident that with this new technology, we can be a more sustainable company and achieve the goals we have set for 2030 and 2050. We are also confident that there will be new solutions for new fuels to be available on a large scale. »
Onorato stated that sustainability efforts, such as the two current ships operating on LNG, are starting to pay off by demonstrating how sustainable cruising can be.
Another piece of good news, the turnover rate…
« As a family-owned and private company, we can make decisions much more easily and quickly, » he said.
More and more consumers, Onorato continued, are making decisions based on sustainability.
« And that is an integral part of our daily choices. We are always looking at how this aligns with our sustainability goals. »
Future outlook
« I am not worried about the overall economy, » Onorato stated. « The cruise industry is more resilient in tough times. There is good value for money, and we can benefit from it in times of economic distress. »
Another piece of good news is that the company’s staff turnover rate has stabilized.
While the company is still looking to be more efficient, 2024 will be the first year since 2019 that MSC returns to what Onorato described as a normal booking window.
« That makes a big difference, » he concluded.
